Unexpected Tragedies, Fireworks and Voter ID: Feedback Friday

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Minnetonka,  Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation.

(The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.)

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First-responders, including the Wright County Sheriff's Department, St. Michael Fire Department and Allina Ambulance, were called to a tragic scene Sunday morning along County Road 119 in St. Michael. Michaela Olson, 16, collapsed to the pavement and later died after a morning run near Gutzwiller Park. 

Barb of St. Michael said: 

Loosing a young life is always tragic, May Michaela's family find the strength and love they need to carry on in the days ahead. God has a plan for each of us, for some that plan is much shorter than we think is fair, but it sounds like she has left a legacy in everyone she knew. Thoughts and Prayers to her family and friends.

The for the proposed Pillsbury Commons development expired June 30, thereby officially killing the project and freeing the land up for other bidders.

The controversial project has garnered hundreds of comments from locals over the past year.

David Haines seemed happy to hear the recent news and ready for a party, writing:

So, it's beer time? I'll toast to that!

Where's the best place in Minnetonka to channel your inner Fred Astaire? Patch wants to know.

Amy Gammill explained why she likes a popular local studio:

Creo Arts and Dance Conservatory is a place where kids grow in self-esteem, appreciation for the arts, and in dance technique. The teachers have the unusual combination of high expectations, warmth, and the ability to inspire. The director looks for opportunities for kids to build on their strengths, both physically and in terms of their character.

Edina Fire Marshal Tom Jenson offered some helpful advice to area residents considering setting off their own fireworks on the Fourth of July. "Our recommendation is always to leave the fireworks to the professionals," Jenson said. He noted that even professionals are injured by fireworks from time to time.

Deena Long said she would like to see some follow-up done regarding the number of firework citations issued over Independence Day:

Thank you for writing this article. I see these pop up all the time around the 4th. Can I request that the writer do a follow-up story after the 4th of July with a # of actual amount of citations that were written out by Edina and other city/suburban police? It's a law like any other that needs to be upheld, but most don't believe it is enforced. Would have liked to see Edina police comments about what they do to offenders caught. Seems like that would be more of a deterrent to show how many tickets were written out and for how much.

, a candidate to represent Senate District 46 in the state Senate, submitted a letter to the editor in response to  urging residents to vote against the voter ID amendment. 

Champagne was critical of the council's action, and so was Joe:

I agree with this letter, and have posted as such on the Patch before. There are two issues here. One, the actual amendment to require voter ID - which I urge people to support. But the second issue is that City Council voted to oppose this. I feel that it is not (or should not be) within the Council's authority to cast a vote on something like this. It confuses the public, could sway the public vote - which is not the job of a city council, wastes City time and money, and ultimately means nothing as far as the amendment is concerned.

Jason Daquon Lewis, of Shakopee was underwater for 30 minutes before he was rescued. His funeral will be held in Indiana during the weekend.

Maggie offered her condolences.

I am so sad about this story, hits so close to home. Sad for the family and for such a young life to end so soon. Very very sad and can only pray for the family and remember this young man for years to come.

Hennepin County inmates recently attended a series of three creative writing workshops led by the Hennepin County Library at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility. The inmates' poems have been collected in a published collection called “Poems from the Inside.” 

Kitzer had this to say:

I guess I'll have to get myself arrested, tried, convicted AND sent to the Workhouse!!
Then, and only then, can --' I ' -- get some free help with --' MY' -- writing!!!